By Commander Jay M. Woodward

Pony Express Editor

On May 15-17, Northern New England District Honorbound Men’s Ministries held the 2008 Men’s Retreat at Sunday River in Newry, Maine. 180 men from all over Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont came for this exciting time of fellowship, worship, dynamic teachings, and to get recharged spiritually! This year, the Retreat had a different look and feel to it. The hotel location was moved from the Grand Summit Hotel to the newer Jordan Grand Hotel. Also, the Retreat itself was extended by one more day, beginning on Thursday. The purpose was to create more fellowship time, and the chance for men to engage in some fun activities together! By Thursday evening, most of the men had arrived for the opening service, where following worship Men’s Ministries Director Ed Shearer gave a message on the Fruit of the Spirit, and brought some actual fruit along with him

On Friday morning, it was time for the fun activities. Tying into the “Power Up” theme of the retreat, men got the choice of participating in a motorcycle rally, playing golf at the Sunday River Golf Course, or participating in shooting rifles or paintball! The latter two activities were held in nearby Dixfield, and facilitated by none other than NNED Royal Ranger leaders! Commanders Sid “Wooly Bear” Bean and Kendall Sperrey ran the firing range, and Commanders Ron Daigle and Ken Beaufort helped to run the paintball range. Both of these activities were received with much enthusiasm by the men, who were shuttled to and from the hotel by Commander Jason A. Wright, who brought the Praise A/G mini-bus to get them where they wanted to go! District Commander Jerry Love, who worked with Honorbound to coordinate these activities, said the impression made by Rangers was “a positive one, for sure. Rangers continues to make inroads into the minds and hearts of the men in our District.”

Following the day’s activities, the men were treated to another warm welcome, courtesy of Royal Rangers: a Light for the Lost Steak barbeque, complete with all the fixings! Commander Willy Gusha brought the Missions Trailer with him, and with the help of several other Commanders, grilled the juicy steaks with “RR” branded into them! Also, NNED “First Lady” Rita Love prepared 202 baked potatoes in advance for the dinner. Indeed, the feast was well prepared and well received! Commander Jerry commented, “I think it went well…we had great food, great help, and a great response.” He added, “How would you expect a man to respond when he has a slab of barbequed meat, a baked potato smothered in butter and sour cream, corn and salad, and rolls and butter staring him in the face…they responded with open mouths and open hearts!”

However, men cannot live on bread- or steak- alone, and that evening they got to feed upon the Word of God! Following a great worship time, well-known Guest Speaker Randy Ruiz came and preached a powerful message on how saints are becoming weary, and how to overcome weariness. Many men responded to his message at the altar call, falling before the Lord and crying out to him! It was indeed a mighty move of the Holy Spirit!

On Saturday, men were able to choose from a variety of Breakout Sessions, each related in a different way to the power of the Holy Spirit. Also, as they were throughout the Retreat, several of the men of NNED Royal Rangers were present, interacting and talking about the ministry to men, and even getting some men excited about starting an Outpost in their church! Following the Breakout Sessions, Randy Ruiz gave an exciting closing sermon to inspire and motivate. After this, the Men’s Retreat came to a wonderful close, with men returning home with lots more power than before they came!

The Retreat was a successful collaboration between Men’s Ministry and Royal Rangers. Commander Jerry commented, “The Men’s Retreat continues to play an integral part in our quest to win these men for our ministry. This was the best Men’s Retreat I have attended in some time!” Indeed, in many ways the 2008 Retreat really did help “Power Up” the men of NNED Royal Rangers!